Held in the Redcliffe botanical gardens, Redcliffe Garden & Lifestyle Expo (formerly “What’s Cooking in the Gardens”) is a festival that celebrates food and sustainable living.
Families will be able to take a break from everyday life and enjoy the fantasy of the Botanical Gardens, while joining in educational activities and workshops. Remember to look up to check out the local bat population – happily residing (and mostly slumbering the day away) in the gardens!
When is the Redcliffe Garden & Lifestyle Expo held?
What’s Cooking in the Gardens may not be going ahead in 2023.
Past event information
If you’re looking for a way to spend your Sunday with your family, out in the sun, then this is the event for you. As the festival runs around the end of winter, you will be able to walk amongst the blooming flora without the heat. Starting at 9.00am and running through until 3.00pm, you can spend the entire day amongst the gardens, or even stop by for a visit to the market stalls. There are also plenty of things to do and see, including lots of activities for kids!
Drop by the:
- Gardening Stage
- Lifestyle Stage
- Love Handmade Lane
- Little Grubs Kids Zone
- Colonials Lawns Games
- Popup Landscape Displays
- Redcliffe Woodcrafters Display
- Lapidary Club Kids Workshop ($2 entry fee)
Here is a breakdown of activities on the day.
Kindred Gardening Stage
9:20am Edible Flowers presented by Linda Brennan
10:00am Using Herbs presented by Brenda Nichols
10:40am Garden Design presented by Russell Young
11:20am Waste to Riches: How we can gain by rewriting the story around waste presented by Costa
12:00pm Landscape Design presented by Eva Porta
12:40pm Soil presented by Leonnie Shanahan
1:20pm Biosecurity: Be a part of it. Day to day ways we can all make a difference presented by Costa
1:50pm Q&A with Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia
2:15pm Unusual edibles for every garden presented by Kevin Redd
Plus Home & Lifestyle tips from Kindred throughout the day.
BallyCara Lifestyle Stage
9:20am Yoga & Meditation Demonstration
9:45am How to Make Organic Bee’s Wax Wraps presented by Spotpack
10:20am Keeping Backyard Chooks presented by Claire Bickle
11:00am Downsizing presented by Gypsy Cabins
11:25am Exercising at Home…Cultivating a Healthy Lifestyle presented by BallyCara
11:45am Guide to Brewing presented by White Brick Brewing
12:15pm Fighting Food Wastage presented by Ugly Duck Preserves
12:50pm Floral Arrangements presented by Danielle Topliff
1:15pm Live Painting presented by Redcliffe Art Society – Tania Greyer
1:50pm Food Building Resilient Communities presented by Flock Eatery
2:25pm Flat Pack Challenge presented by MBRIT
Sesame Lane Little Grubs Kids Zone
In this zone little ones will enjoy FREE face painting and well as engage in FREE sustainable activities and workshops, and grow their green thumbs with fun gardening games and activities.
Love Handmade Lane
Stroll through Love Handmade Lane markets and find special handmade goodies. You will find the best handmade designs and treasures from local makers. Listen to the sweet sounds of acoustic artists Dan and Diletta as you browse the many market stalls.
Free Flower Crown Workshop
Princes and princesses unite at the enchanting Flower Crown Making workshop.
Using real flowers, you will discover how to create your very own Flower Crown. Impress your friends with your new skills long after the event is over!
This magical workshop is happening all day (or until flowers run out), for free!
How do I get there?
On the corner of George Street and Victoria Avenue, the Redcliffe Botanic Garden is a part of the Moreton Bay Region. There is an easy 30-minute drive from the Brisbane CBD, and free parking on the Redcliffe showgrounds. A free shuttle bus will also be driving between the showgrounds and the festival site between 8.30am and 3.45pm.
How much does it cost?
Redcliffe Garden & Lifestyle Expo won’t have you breaking into your piggy bank, as the price is a simple gold coin donation. Some workshops within, however, may have an additional cost.
What is there to do?
There are a number of different activities suitable for family members of any age. There are educational workshops for those who want to learn more about natural products and healthy exercise, market stalls filled with tasty food, and even cooking demonstrations. The program for the event can be found on their website; however, there were some exciting activities and speakers that were at the 2015 ‘What’s Cooking at the Gardens?’.
Live Music at the festival
This is one for all you musos. Live music will be playing throughout the whole day, so you will be able to explore the beautiful botanic gardens while listening to vibrant, smooth music. Previously, the Alex Brook duo played at the event, and CD’s were also made available.
Cooking Demonstrations
If you’re looking for new recipes to make, you can watch as local cooking celebrities create meals perfect for families. In 2015 Reality TV stars, Rob & Dave did a couple of cooking demonstrations in front of a full audience. Mathew Evens and Ada Daher, also made appearances on the cooking stage, along with other demonstrations presented throughout the day.
Craft Workshops
There will be many different workshops for all members of the family. In previous years, there have been activities such as, mini macramé jars at 10am, braided bohemian necklaces at 12pm and lip balms at 2pm.
Activities for the little ones
While the parents visit the markets and cooking demonstrations, the kids will have enough to keep themselves occupied.
Gardening activities
Why would you not make the most of a day in the Redcliffe Botanic Gardens? Lessons about fruit and vegetable growth, and keeping plants healthy and sustainable will be at the upcoming What’s Cooking in the Gardens.
Can we visit all the exhibitions?
The workshops, activities and demonstrations will be available to everyone. Don’t forget to visit the market stalls and pick up some delicious organic fruits, vegetables and meats. There will be a photographer and a photo booth there so make sure you get a snap with you and your family and friends!
Looking for more family fun? Check out list of all the family friendly festivals around Brisbane here.
Are you accepting applications for stall holders?
I would like to have a stall again please.
Jenny Baker
Australian Lavender Essentials